Oslo Norway Temple

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship in meetinghouses around the world, and visitors are always welcome to participate.

Depending on the size of the congregation and other circumstances, these meetinghouses could range from a large brick church building to a rented storefront. In any case, these meetinghouses are where people gather together regularly for Sunday worship services, classes, social activities, and more.

Temples are set aside from the everyday world as sacred, holy places where we perform the ordinances that bind us to God and to our families for eternity. They are a place of deep reverence where Latter-day Saints who have prepared themselves for temple worship put away distractions such as cell phones and casual conversations to focus on God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

When temples are first built or after they have undergone extensive renovations, open houses are held for the public so they can take a tour inside. After a temple is dedicated for sacred use, it is open only to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have worked to prepare themselves for the experience. However, many dedicated temples have beautiful grounds and even visitors’ centers that are still open to the public.

Yes, there are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway—and throughout Scandinavia. In fact, the Church has had a presence in Norway since the mid-1800s. Over the years, the community has grown, and today there are over 4,500 members of the Church in Norway with congregations across the country.

A temple is being built in Norway to serve those faithful members, many of whom have previously travelled long distances to attend the temple. Having a temple in Norway makes it easier for local members to participate in sacred worship and find spiritual peace close to home.

To learn more about the history of the Church in Norway, please click here.

Temples differ from Latter-day Saint churches where members of our faith and our friends meet for Sunday worship services and other weekday activities. We consider a temple to be a literal “House of the Lord,” much like Biblical temples. It is where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is taught through sacred ceremonies that bless individuals and unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make promises to serve Jesus Christ and bless the lives of others. Everything members experience in the temple centres on Jesus Christ and His Gospel—which is to love God and our neighbours.

The proposed Temple is located at the junction of Smedsvingen and Ravnsborgveien roads in Hvalstad, Norway. It would be a single-story building of approximately 10,800 square feet, located on a 3.2-hectare (8-acre) site.

The temple will be built to the highest standards of construction and designed to enhance the community. For example, the building will be set back from the road with landscaping in the foreground including lawns, trees, and flowers to beautify the area. These gardens would be open to members of the public.

The architecture will reflect both the sacred purpose of the temple and the natural beauty of Norway, with careful attention to detail, scale, and materials.

Temples are designed to be places of quiet reverence—welcoming all who come to reflect, enjoy the gardens, or learn more. While access to the interior of the temple will be reserved for Church members once the building is dedicated for worship, there will be a public open house prior to that time where all are invited to come inside, take a guided tour, and ask questions.

We hope the temple will become a peaceful and uplifting presence in Hvalstad—one that reflects our belief in Jesus Christ and our desire to contribute positively to the local community.

We desire to be good neighbours and welcome your questions or concerns about the project.

Unlike a cathedral, Latter-day Saint temples do not contain a single, large sanctuary for Sunday worship. Instead, they are designed with a series of smaller rooms where the highest ordinances or sacraments of the Church take place in small reverent services by special appointment during the week.

Because of this, large numbers of people do not attend at the same time—and traffic in and out of the temple will be minimal.

As part of the planning process, a traffic study was conducted to ensure the local infrastructure can comfortably support the anticipated vehicle flow. The study concluded that traffic generated by the temple will be minimal. The Church is committed to working closely with local authorities and neighbours to ensure that the temple is a respectful and well-integrated part of the community.

Yes, the temple would be modestly illuminated in the evening hours to highlight its architectural beauty and create a peaceful atmosphere. However, great care will be taken to ensure that lighting is respectful of the surrounding area.

All lighting will comply with local regulations and ordinances, using modern, energy-efficient fixtures that minimise glare and light spill. The goal is to preserve the quiet character of the town while allowing the temple to serve as a gentle, dignified landmark after dark.

The lighting design will be thoughtfully planned to complement the landscape and maintain harmony with nearby residences and natural surroundings.